Ignition system



1 y 2 1930- J. L. ARTHUR 1,?5@A-2i31 IGNITION SYSTEM Adm- Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED" STATES,

PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. ARTHUR, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DELCO-REMY CORPORA- TIONfOF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE IGNITION SYSTEM Application at December 31, 1923. Serial No. 329,554.

This invention relates to electric, switches and particularly to a switch adapted for use in connection with ignition apparatus disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 198,682 filed June 13, 1927, in which the apparatus comprises an ignition coil having two primary windings which are connected by a suitable switch either inparallel with a storage battery or other current source or in series therewith.

This apparatus can be used advantageously in the electrical system of an automobile in which a storage battery, charged by a generator driven by the automobile engine, is used to supply current-duringthe cranking of the engine to the ignition apparatus, and generally to the starting apparatus where an electric starter is used.

In cases where the battery is partly discharged or the starting apparatus considerably drains the battery, thus -reducing its voltage substantially below normal, sufficient ignition coil energ can be obtained for ignition purposes whi e cranking, if the ignition primary windings are connected in parallel with the battery in order to reduce the total .an abnormal flow of current through the ignition coil while the engine is running.

.The usual ignition switch is supplemented by a second switch connected to the coil windings and this supplemental switch has a start position in which the primary windings are connectedin parallel, and a run position in which the windings are connected in series with the battery.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved switch for controlling the ignition apparatus of the appl cation referred to. More particularly, 1t -1s an object to provide a switch operable coincidentally with the actuation of the starting motor switch so that the primary windings may be connected in either start or run relation; and to provide a switch 1n which return the shifting switch to run position after the engine becomes self operative, and thereby precludes damage resultant upon the contact points of the ignition system.

Further objects and advantages of the pres ent invention will be apparent from the following. description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

and relieves the operator of the necessity to Fig. 1, is a view in diagrammatic form two primary windings 20 and 21 which are inductively related to a secondary winding 22. Winding 20 is connected by wire 23 with a switch contact 24 and by wire 25 with a terminal 26 which is connected with an ignition timer 27 grounded at 28. The winding 20 is alsoconnected by wire 29 with a switch contact 30. The winding 21 is connected by a wire 31 with a switch contact 32 and by a wire 33 with a contact 34, and also with a terminal 36 by a wire 35. 36 is connected with a battery 37 grounded at 38, by a wire 39, through the usual ignition switch 40, which connects with the battery lead 41.

The secondary winding 22 is inductively related to the primary windings in any one of the preferred forms, but is here illustrated as being grounded at 45 and connected by Terminal lead 46 with the ignition distributor 47, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

Operatively associated with the ignition circuit, there is provided a multiple circuit switch 50 interposed between the primary windings 20. and 21,1and connected-to the contacts or terminals described above,'as will presently appear. The multi le circuit switch 50' is coincidentally opera leirwith the alteration of the starting motor' circuit through the agency of an electroresponsive device 70, whlch ls'energized and deenergized when the starting motor control 80 is actuated to close or ope'n' the circuit to the engine cranking means 90., I

The switch 50 includes movable contact connectors 51 and 52, andwhen moved'to the position shown in Fig.' 2, known as the start position of the switch, or the position occupied by it during the cranking of the engine, the primary windings 20 and 21' will be connected in parallel with the battery. The arrows 42 and 42 designate the 5 direction ofcurrent fiow' so that these parallel the current therein to'normal value.

circuits may be clearly apparent. After the engine has become self-operative, the switch is automatically-moved to the run position to move the connectors 51 and 52 into the position shown in Fig. 1. Then the switch connects the primary windings 20 and 21 in series with the battery to increase the resistance of the primary circuit and to redrufie series connection of the windings 20 and 21 is clearly indicated by the arrows 43 in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the connections are so made that the coils 20 and 21 also act cumulatively regardless of how they are con nected with the battery. The battery lead 41 is joined with the wire 39 from the terminal 36 as at 44, which. provides a terminal. for connection with the starting motor circuit. This starting motor circuit is connected to the electric source 37. in parallel relation to the ignition circuit just described, and includes the lead 41- to the terminal 44. To the post '44 is connected a wire 48 being electrically connected to the terminal of the starting motor switch 80. The circuit is completed by wire 83 from the terminal 82 connected with the starting motor or engine cranking means 90, and thence connected to the ground at 92Jby' means of the wire 91.

As illustrated in the drawing, the'coils 20 and 21 have their associated-contacts 24, 30, 32 and 34 arranged in apredetermined fixed relation for "cooperation with the contact points of theswitch 50, as will soon appear. The switch for controlling the circuits of the ignition coil and altering the relation of the primaries 20 and 21, is indicated generally at 50, and includes the contact connectors 51 and 52 earlier referred to. The connectors 51 and 52 are carried by the block of incoil contact 34 by an element 64, for engage- .nects the one to the other.

aiding in the alteration of coil relation. It

will be noted upon reference to the drawing, that the coil contacts 24 and 30 are arranged to cooperate with the connector contact 56, while the coil contacts 32 and 34cooperate with the connector contacts 57 and 59' respectively.

The other contacts referred to, include a contact 61 joined to the coil contact 24 by the element 62, and so associated with the structure as to cooperate with the contact Similarly, a contact 63 is joined to the ment by the connector contact 57. Likewise, the contact 65 is joined by an element 66 to the terminal 36, and thence by the wire 35 to thecoil contact 34, and is associated'xin engageable relation with the connector contact 59. The element 67 indicates a blank, or

other means that mayoperate as astop or detent for limiting the movement of the movable contact assembly, and for convenience of illustration is shown as cooperating with the connector contact 58.

Means are provided for actuating the supplemental 'switch or coil changing means from the position illustrated in l. ig. 1 to that position illustrated in Fig. 2, and embraces] the electro-responsive unit 70. This unit may embody an electro-magnet, an electro-thermal or other similar devices, but for convenience of illustration is here shown as an electro-thermal device.

The unit 70 includes a support 71 to which is fixed abi-metallic element 72 terminating in a'tongue member 73. Ahelical spring 74 connects the unit 70 with the pin 60 of the multiple circuit switch 50, by having one-end thereof disposed about the tongue 73, and the other end about the pin 60. This in effect forms an articulated connection between the elements 50 and 70, and drivingly conenergized by the thermal circuit 7 5, tapped off from the starting switch contact 82, and including a coil or heating element 76 dis posed about the bi-Inetallic element 72, and grounded as at 7 7. From this, and by reference to the drawing it will be seen that the thermal circuit 75 is energized coincidentally with the energization of the engine cranking means90. I

The operation of this device is apparent from the consideration of the drawing,'and it is obvious that the actuation of the start- The unit 70 is ing switch 80, will move the switch assembly 50 to, change the relation/of the primary windings.

InFig. 1, of the drawings, the primary coils are illustrated in the normal or run relation, in which the sections 20 and 21 are serially connected, as by means of the conmotor 51 engaging with thecoilcontacts 24 and 32.

When the. starting motor circuitis closed by the control 80, the thermal circuit 75 also energized, which causes-the bi-metalhc element 72 to function. The thermal circuit to Fig. 2 it will .be noted that-energy-from' the battery 37 now divides at the terminal 36, and follows two parallel circuits,each through one of the primary sections ,until they are joined again at the terminal 26. From thence, I

a common conductor transmits the energy to the ignition timer 27 in, the usual manner. As

soon as the motor becomes,self.operative,-or

as soon as the starter operating. member 80. is released the thermalcircu-it is deenergized and the element 72 is cooled, which permits the unit to retract and to return the contact-carrier 53 to the run, position illustrated in Fig. 1.

Thus, it is seen that provision is made for automatically shifting the switch mechanism 50, from the run to the start? position upon closing of'the starting motor circuit, and that means are also provided for automatically changing the relation of the primary sections from start to run upon release of the.

starting motor switch, which relieves the operator of the necessity of manually changing the relation of the rimary windings, a failure of which would age to ignition points or other elements of the system.

While the form of embodimentof the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a'preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In an electrical system for use with internal combustion engines, the combination, with a source of electrical current and engine starting means-energized thereby, of an ignition circuit also energized from said source, and automatic means for decreasing the normal resistance of said ignition circuit coincldentally with the energization of said engine starting means, comprising a sectionally clivisible primary coil, and electroresponsive means energizable by said source and operprobably result in dam-- .able to change the relation ot'said' primary coil sections.

2. In an electrical system'for use with 1nternal combustion engines, the comb1nat1on,

with asource of electric current and engine starting means energized thereby,of an ignltion circuit also energized from said source,

and automatic means for decreasing the nor- ,mal resistance of said lgnltion circuit coincidentally with theenergization of said engine starting means, comprising a sectionally divisible-primary coil, a multiple circuit switch interposed between the coil sections, and

.starting means energized thereby, of an ignitionclrcuit also energized from said source,

and automatic means for decreasing the nor mal resistance of said ignition circuit co1nc1- dentally with the energization of said engine starting means, comprising a sectionally dielectroresponsive means energizable by said source'and operable to change the relation I visible. primary coil, and electroresponsive I means energizable bysaid source and oper able upon said switch to change the relation of said coil sections.

4. In an electrical system foruse with internal combustion engines, the combination,

with a source of electric current and engine starting means energized thereby, of an ignitIOII'iCIIClllt also energized from said source,

and automatic means for decreasing the normal resistance of said ignition circuit coincidentally with the energization of said engine starting means, comprising a sectionally divisible coil in said circuit, a multiple circuit switch'interposed between said coil sections, and electroresponsive means energizable by said source and operable upon said switch to change therelation of said coil sections.

5. In an electrical system for use with internal combustion engines, the combination lit with a source of electric current and engine i starting means energized thereby, bf an ignition circuit also energized from said source, and automatic means for decreasing the normal resistance of said ignition circuit coincidentally with the energization of said engine starting means, comprising a sectionally divisible coil in said circuit, a multiple circuit switch interposed between said coil sections, and electro-thermal means energizable by said source andoperable upon said switch to alter the relation of said coil sections.

6. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, an ignition circuit including a coil having a plurality of primary windings, a switch for connecting the windings in parallel for engine starting 1gn1t1on and in series for engine running ignition, and means for operating said switch coincidentally during the starting-operation. I

7.'Igmt1on apparatus for, internal combastion engines comprising, a current source,

an ignition circuit including a coil having a plurality of primary windings, a switch for connecting the windings iuparallel for engine starting ignition and in series for engine a running ignition, andelectro-responsive means operably connected to the switch for automatically changing the relation of the windings during'engme starting.

8. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source,

an ignition circuit including a coil having a pluraltyofprnnary windings, a switch for connecting the windings in parallel for enginel starting ignition and in series for engine running ignition, and GlGCtIfO -lGSPOllSlX'B switch operating means for automatically changing the relation of the primary .windings while the engine is being started. I

9. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising. a current source. an ignition circuit including .a coil having a plurality of primary windings, a switch for connecting the windings in parallel for engine starting ignition and in seriesfor engine running ignitionand electro-thermal switch operating means for automatically chang ng the; relation of the primary windings while the engine isbeing started.

10. Ignition apparatus for internal com hustion engines comprising, acurrent source, an ignitionvcircuit including a coil having a plurality of primary windings, means ,for

alternatelychanging the windings from series relation for engine running ignition to paral:

lel relation for. engine starting ignition, and 1 means for coincidentally operating the changing means while the engine 1s being started.

11. Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, 1

an ignitioncircuit including a coil having a plurality of primary windings, means for alternately changing the windings from series relation for engine running ignition to parallel relation for engine starting ignition, and

electro-thermal means operable upon said changing means for automatically insuring a parallel relation of said windings during engine starting and a series relation otsaid windings during engine running.

12.v In an ignition system, thecomhination of a current source; an ignition circuit including a plurality of primary coils in series with the source; a circuit including a starting for alteringthe relation of the coils when said umt is energized and-deenergized; and

a secondary circuit in inductive relation to the primary circuit.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 12 in .which the electro-thermal unit is energized and deenergized coinc dentauyr with .the

starting motor, and alters the coil relation from series to parallel and parallel to series respectively.v c c 14. In a starting and ignition system for gas engincs,a motor for revolving the engineshaft at starting, abattery electrically connected tosaid motor, an ignition coil comprising two primary windings', an interposed multiple circuitswitch capable of'connccting said windings. inweither parallel or series relation to take current from said battery, a starting switch for the motor circuit,

and a shunt controlled by. said starting switch and including an electro-responsive device for actuatingthe multiple circuit switch to alter the relation of said primary windings.

15, The starting and ignition system defined in claim 14 in which, the shunt includes an electro-thermal unit for shifting the mnlti;

ple circuit switch. a i i v 16. The starting and ignition system dehned in claim 14in which, the shunt includes an clectro-thermal unit forshifting the multiple circuit switch, 'to' establish the primary winds in parallel relation during starting and in series relation during running ign tion. I N

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature. c

JAMES L. ARTHUR.

ios 

